Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-10

One Ruiit 10 Play PtnOehle. the
Other Young ana slender.
fryav- orb SIM

For more than twenty-five years Mr..
William Hoffman, who keeps a whole
sale Hduor store ut the corner of Even
and Moore streets, Williamsburgh, has
enjoyed the reputation of being one OF
the substantial iiquor-monin that place,
and has eloried in the knowledge that
be played pinochic so well that he IN
variably came out ahead Of the game,
no matter with whom he played. He
has in that time played The game SO Of
ten and in 50 many different saloons
and with such unyarylng snc-
cess that every body that ever played
pinochle in Williamsburgh knows that
be is the Brooklyn champion. 1t there
fore created tremendous sensation ~
the hquor-selling and pinochle-playlng
circles of that part Of the town when
il was learned yesterday That Mr.. Holt
man had been arrested and arraigned
in Justice Kennas court on charge Of
Grand larceny. But when it was whls-
pered around that tie charge grew ont
Of a game of pinochlc, and 1t was as
serted that ne had by violence wrested
his losses from young man who had
beaten him ut his favorite game, the
'pinochle-players who had met hun
and become hrs at the game were very
10th to believe the charge.
The complaining witness m the case
was Naihan :. Jonas, a twenty-year-
old boy, who lives with his father, ia
cob Jonas. at lOll Gates avenue. No
Greater difference in looks between two
pincchle experts could well be ina
oined. Mr.. Hoffman is the typical
pinochle-ployer. lie is big and broad,
aud has dark grizzly-gray hair, a nose
with the hue of a bright autumn sun
set. and a marked capacity for small
beers. he is phlegmatic and deliberate
In his manner and gets great deal OF
comfort out of each play that ne makes.
Young Jonas is n slender, hght-halrcd
boy. who wears big eyeglasses and
cannot as yet raise any moustache to
speak of. He has the looks and bear
ing of young divinity student, and
when be loses a bet OF S25 he laughs as
heartily and mirthfully as boys usually
10 when they open a Jackpot with Tour
aces. Jonas, as the sequel shows, has
great future before him, though he has
not quite fully developed the natural
talents which make the perfect pinochie-
player.
Jonas said last night that he and his
friends had long heard OF the renown
Of Mr.. Hoffman, and they concluded
A a "a ~ I.o,.ol tla rtcipp croporatioO
to show that the race is not deteriora-
ting. Mr.. Hoffman owned dog-cart
and fast pony, and went driving upand
down the streets of Williamsburgh seek
ing pinocble-players whom he might
deyour. One OF his favorite stopping
places was at Cline's cigar store, IN
tiates avenue, not far from JO'
nass home, and Cline Away:
lest the cigars and some money
when Hoffman called, while the mex
perienced stranger who ventured II
was skinned alive. SO Jonas, who had
played winning hama at pinochl'
| through a good many years il he Is
! yonpg, decided to meet the champion
Accordingly several weeks ago there
were a few quiet games for the cigar
in Cline's back room, in which Jona'
| Lad fair luck. Then they played for
dollar u side, and the luck ran against
Jonas, but as he thought he could SCI
| his way TO win when he wished
he gradually raised the bets 4
SOB a side. Just how the gam
progressed after that Jonas vii
not tel. He says he eventually go
5000 si cad of the game, that HOLMAN
endorsed over 10 him four check
which he (Hoffman) had received from
customers, but asked Jonas 10 brinl
them down and get them cashed a
| Hon.man's place. Jonas here showe'
his lack OF development lie went b
Hoffman's place, laid the checks OF
| Hoifman's desk, and Hoffman put then